Adjustable outlet convector enclosure



B. sPlErH 2,656,781

ADJUSTABLE OUTLET CONVECTOR ENQLOSURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 l l I Oct. 27, 1953 Filed Feb. 5, 1949 Z-Ir 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 5. 1949 Patented ct. 27, 1953 ADJUSTABLE OUTLET CONVECTOR ENCLOSURE Benjamin Spieth, Racine, Wis.,

assignor to Modine Manufacturing Company, Racine, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application February 5, 1949, Serial No. 74,7 90

Claims.

The invention relates generally to improvements in convector cabinets and, more particularly, to an improved construction for controlling the flow of air therethrough.

The invention has among its objects the prol duction of an adjustable convector cabinet which is very efficient in operation, simple in construction, and which may be economically constructed using modern tools and production methods, and employing a minimum number of parts.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a cabinet in which a movable outlet grille is employed, and which is so constructed that both the size of the air outlet the effective stack-height of the convector cabinet may be simultaneously varied to control the heat output of the device.

A further object of the invention is the production of a convector cabinet, pleasing in appearance, with the outlet grille being concealed when not in use, and in which the damper or air control structure is very simple but smooth and ellicient in operation.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement, and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference charactors represent like or corresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a convector cabinet embodying the present invention, with a portion of the cabinet exterior being broken away to show details of the construction;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken approximately on the lines 2-2 of Figs. 1 and 4, respectively;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on the lines 3--3 of Figs. 1 and 2, respectively;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken approximately on the line 4--4 ofFig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional View of the upper portion of the cabinet similar to Fig. 2 but with the air control in a closedposition. l

Referring to the drawings, and` more particularly to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, `I indicates generally a convector cabinet having a rear Wall 2, end walls 3 and il, and a front wall or panel 5. The top t of the cabinet I is curved, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5, the cabinet having an opening l therein adiacent the top of the cabinet adapted to form the air outlet thereof. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the front panel 5 of the cabinet terminates short of the bottom of the cabinet to formv an air inlet 8. The cabinet thus far described may be constructed in any suitable manner to achieve the desired results. For example, the front wall 5 preferably may be constructed as a removable panel and, suitably connected to the vertically extending portions 9, illustrated as being formed from the same pieces of material respectively comprising the end walls 3 and ll, as clearly illustrated in 3, with the back wall 2 being formed from a separate piece of material and secured to flanges I I at the rear edges ofthe side walls by welding 0r other suitable means. Likewise, the top portion 6 may be formed from a separate piece of material secured to the adjacent portions of the anges 9 carried bythe end walls, and to the ange I2 carried by the back wall, by welding or other suitable means.

Movably mounted in the cabinet I is a :membe I3 secured at its opposite ends to arcuate shaped plates I4 and I5, the member I3 being secured to the plates by any suitable means, as for example, spot welding or the like, between the iianges i5 and the respective plates, as indicated atll. The plates It and I5 are pivotally connected to brackets I8 by suitable bolts Ill, rivets, or the like.

In the construction illustrated, each bracket I is provided with a transversely extending flange 2| secured to the back wall 2 of the enclosure by any suitable means, as for example, spot welding. Thus, in effect, the member I3 is pivotally mounted in the cabinet and rotatable about an axis located adjacent the rear edge of the member I3 and the rear wall of the cabinet. Y

Extending between the plates I4 and i5 is a grille member indicated generally by the numeral 22, the latter being curved and approxi.,.iately Y concentric with the curvature or the top ii ofthe cabinet, with the radius of the curvature being slightly less than the distance between the axis of rotation of the element I3 andthe lower or front edge 23 of the air outlet opening l. In the construction illustrated, the grille member 22 is divided into two portions 24 and 25, the portion 24 being positioned bel-cw the mem-ber and provided with suitable grille openings 2t, which may, if desired, be designed to provide an ornamental effect. The portion 25 of the grille member 22 is positioned above the member It and is .soiidin form. lt will thus be apparent that by rotating the member I3 and structure associated therewith, either the portion 2t of the grille member or the portion 25 may be positioned in the opening 1. To facilitate manual rotation or the movable structure, the latter may be provided with` `a suitable handle 2'I secured, inthe 4present in- 3 stance, to the member '22 substantially at the juncture of the portions 24 and 25.

Means is also provided for maintaining the member I3 and structure associated therewith in any of its adjusted positions, which means, in the present embodiment of the invention, comprises an arcuate shaped plate 28 rigidly secured to the movable structure by spot welding, or other suitable means, with the plate 28 extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the pivotal axis of the air control structure. Carried by the rear wall 2 of the enclosure 'is va Vbracket 29, the latter having a nange 3l spot welded to the rear wall 2 with the free end of the bracket 29Ypositioned adjacent the .member 28. Mounted on the bracket 29 is a small plate 32, the inner end of which is provided with a flange 33 terminating in a tongue 34 extending through a cooperating slot in the bracket 29. The plate ;32 extends outwardly with its free end positioned adjacent the memberz but on the side thereof opposite to the adjacent end of the bracket 29 whereby the member 26 is positioned between the ends of the bracket 25 and plate 32. Extending through the plate and bracket is a threaded bolt 35, the head of Which may .be suitably secured to the plate 32 to prevent rotation of the bolt .rela-V tive to the plate. Positioned on the bolt 35 are Washers 36 and a compression spring L37 positioned therebetween, the compression of which is controlled .by a suitable Wing nut 38. Thus the member 28 may be pinched between the plate 32 and bracket 2,9, the pressure depending upon the degree of compression or the spring .37, with the ange 33 of the .plate 32 -forming a fulcrum for the latter. While I have illustrated only one bracket .23 and plate ,32, if desired, the Ystructure could be duplicated at the opposite end of the structure, although satisfactory operation may be obtained by the use of only one. The wing nut 38 and spring 3l is preferably so adjusted that smooth rotation of the grille structure is per- Vmitted, with the frictional contact between the member 28, bracket 29, and plate 32 being suiiicient to satisfactorily maintain the grille structure in any of its adjusted positions. As the front wall or panel of the enclosure will normally be ,con- Y structed to permit removal thereof and access to the interior or" the enclosure, adjustment of the nut 38 and spring 3l may be readilymade.

Theenclosure is suitably constructed to receive and support a heating element, indicated generally by the numeral l, positioned adjacent to and above theair inlet opening 8, .the details of .the heating element 4l `and the supporting struc- -ture therefor forming no part of the-present .in-

vention.

It will be noted from the above description that the air control member.!3,rin effect, forms .the top Yof the convection stack formed by the enclosure and, as the Ycapacity of such type of convector enclosure increases With an increase of the eective height of the convection stack, the present construction, in effect, provides means for varying not only thesize or the air outlet opening, but also the effective height of the convecof the portion 24. It will be noted that when the grille structure is in a closed position, the solid portion 25 of the member 22 is positioned across the opening l, thus completely closing the same to present a neat and pleasing appearance, as Well as prevent dust and dirt from entering the enclosure.

While I'have illustrated the invention in connection with an enclosure or cabinet having a 'curved top portion, it is believed apparent that the invention may be employed in connection Awith enclosuresfhaving a top portion of different shapes and, if desired, the invention could be employed in such a manner that the member i3 "also forms the top'of the cabinet, as well as the Ltop `of the convection stack.

Having thusdescribed my invention, it is cb- 'vious that-various immaterial modiiications may bev made-in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the ei-:act form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a convector enclosure, the combination of a cabinet having an air inlet therein adjacent the lower portion thereof and an opening therein adjacent the top thereof, said cabinet being adapted to receive and support a heating element therein with such element positioned intermediate said .inlet and said opening, a modulating damper member movably mounted in .said cabinet and adapted to form ya closure for the opening in the cabinet and also forming .the end of the circulation stack formed by the cabinet, said damper pivotally mounted contiguous to the rear wall of the cabinet, an edge of said modulating damper member being movable relative to an edge of said opening to dene an air outlet therebetween varying in size dependent upon the position of the modulating damper member, an ornamental v.grille element operatively mounted on andmcvable with said. damper member positioned adja- -centlsaid edge thereof and adapted to extend across the air outlet so formed, movement of said modulating damper member being operati-ve to increase the elective size of the air outlet and to direct the flow of air therethrough and simultaneously increase the effective sta-cl; height ci the cabinet, with the heating element being spaced from said opening a suflieient distance to permit the grille, when in its closed position, to be positioned substantially within said cabinet,

Iandmea'ns including an arcuate shaped member operatively A:mounted on said modulating damper member, and biasing means complementally formed to the arcuate shaped member and operatively mounted on the cabinet for maintaining said modulating damper in any of its adjusted positions. V

2. In a convector enclosure, the combination Voi. a cabinet having an air inlet therein adjacent the lower portion thereof, and an opening in the located adjacent the rear wall of the cabinet and extending substantially parallel with the front face thereof, whereby7 the front edge of said modulating damper member may be rotated upwardly to denne a generally vertically extending air outlet and a curved ornamental grille ele'- ment operatively mounted on and movable with said modulating damper member and adapted to extend across such air outlet as said modulating damper member is rotated, upward rotation of the modulating damper member being operative to simultaneously increase the size of the air outlet and the eiective stack height of the cabinet and also to direct the flow of air therethrough, and means including an arcuate shaped member operatively mounted on said modulating damper member and biasing means comprising a support extending forwardly with respect to the rear wall, operatively mounted on the cabinet and operatively mounted with respect to said arcuate shaped member for maintaining said modulating damper member in any of its adu justed positions, with the heating element being spaced from said opening a suflicient distance to permit the grille, when in its closed position, to be positioned substantially within said cabinet.

3. In a convector enclosure, the combination of a cabinet having an air inlet therein adjacent the lower portion thereof, and an opening therein adjacent the top thereof, said cabinet being adapted to receive and support a heating element therein, with such element positioned intermediate said inlet and said opening, a transversely extending modulating damper member forming a closure for the cabinet and pivotally mounted upon said cabinet and forming the top of the circulation stack formed by said cabinet, said modulating damper member being rotatable on a horizontal axis located adjacent the rear wall of the cabinet and extending substantially parallel with the front face thereof, whereby the front edge of said member may be rotated upwardly to define a generally vertically extending air outlet and a curved grille element operatively mounted upon said modulating damper member and movable with said modulating damper and adapted to extend across such air outlet as said modulating damper member is rotated, upward rotation of said modulating damper member being operative to simultaneously increase the size of the air outlet and the effective stack height of the cabinet and also to direct the ilow of air through the air outlet, with the heating element being spaced from said opening a sufficient distance to permit the grille, when in its closed position, to be positioned substantially within said cabinet, and means including biasing means comprising an arcuate shaped member operatively mounted on said modulating damper for maintaining said modulating damper in any of its adjusted positions.

4. In a convector enclosure, the combination of a cabinet having an air inlet therein adjacent the lower portion thereof, and an opening therein adjacent the top thereof, the top of said cabinet being curved, said cabinet being adapted to receive and support a heating element therein, with such element positioned intermediate said inlet and said opening, a substantially flat transversely extending member and an arcuate member adapted to form a modulating damper and closure for the opening, said transversely extending member pivotally mounted in said cabinet and forming the top of the circulation stack formed by said cabinet, said members being rotatable together on a horizontal axis located adjacent the rear wall of the cabinet and extending substantially parallel with the front face thereof, whereby the front edge of said transversely extending member may be rotated upwardly to denne a generally vertically extending air outlet and a curved grille element operatively mounted on said transversely extending member movable therewith and adapted to extend across such air outlet as said transversely extending member is rotated, the center of curvature of said grille element being approximately on said horizontal axis, upward rotation of said transversely extending member being operative to simultaneously increase the size of the air outlet and the effective stack height of the cabinet and also to direct the now of air through the air outlet, and friction means for maintaining said transversely extending member in any of its adjusted positions, with the heating element being spaced from said opening a suflcient distance to permit the grille, when in its closed position, to be positioned substantially within said cabinet.

5. In a convector enclosure, the combination of a. cabinet having openings therein for the Circulation of air therethrough, one of said openings being variable in size, said cabinet being adapted to receive and support a heating element therein with said heating element positioned intermediate said openings, a modulating damper element forming the variable size opening and an ornamental closure therefor, said modulating damper element being movable relative to said cabinet with an edge of said damper element being co-operative with an edge of said opening to define the variable size opening and to direct the flow of air through the cabinet, the size of which is dependent upon the position of said damper element relative to said opening, a grille structure operatively mounted on and movable with said damper element and also adapted to extend across the variable size opening so formed, whereby movement of the modulating damper element adjusts the size of the opening and directs the flow of air therethrough, and in the closed position of the damper element serves as a closure for the opening, and frictional means including an arcuate shaped member and spring biased means operatively mounted on the cabinet and modulating damper element for retaining said damper element in any of :its adjusted positions.

BENJAMIN ,SPIETH.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 705,609 Pugh July 219, 1902 855,778 Hickey June 4, 1907 877,209 Martin Jan. 21, 1908 1,067,418 Farquhar July 15, 1913 1,584,990 Nesbitt May 18, 1926 1,809,518 Kubatzky June 9, 1931 1,853,314 Modine Apr. l2, 1932 2,310,843 Dtzler Feb. 9, 1943 2,324,858 Levine July 20, 1943 2,347,936 Crewson May 2, 1944 2,359,571 McLenegan Oct. 3, 1944 2,516,871 Haugen Aug. 1, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 430,938 Great Britain June 27, 1935 

